GANGSTER SQUAD

Sean Penn is the lead in a based-on-fact cop story about law officers who go vigilante

A HAUNTED HOUSE

The Wayans brothers take off on the Paranormal movies.

1. HOUSE AT THE END OF THE STREET:

A note to every character in a horror thriller that starts out with a single mom (Elizabeth Shue) and teen daughter, Elissa played by the Hunger Games’ Jennifer Lawrence) moving into an area where they find that the rent is unbelievably affordable … know your neighbours! In this one, as one might expect, the rent is cheap because it’s adjacent to the house at the end of the street where a family was murdered. The hose is vacant … so why does Elissa see lights in the upstairs windows at night? That sets the tone for what might be a journey into the land of the forces of evil … or worse. An adequate chiller, saved by Lawrence’s performance, which is outstanding as always. Rated 14A.

2. FRANKENWEENIE:

28 years ago Tim Burton created a short film with this title as a film school project. It got a failing grade. Now, laughing all the way to the bank, the quirky director offers up the story of young Victor, who makes his own home-made horror movies that star his little dog Sparky. Tragically, Sparky is hit by an car and dies … but young Victor feels that with a few medical procedures – and some lightning – he can bring the dog back to life. By the way, Victor’s family name is “Frankenstein.” Lots of fun, plenty of inside humour – voices of Katherine O’Hara and Kate Winslet. Rated PG.

3. DREDD:

In 1995 Sylvester Stallone was a futuristic Judge riding a flying motorcycle and dispensing judgement to criminals on the spot. It was a highly stylized sci-fi thriller with some good special effects. This time around, a remake with Karl Urban as the title character, and a lot more story than the original displayed. That’s not necessarily a good thing. A drug-dealing subplot, and those who would unseat the judges get in the way of what could have been a visual and co-star, rookie Olivia Thirlby doesn’t get enough to do. Okay though. Rated 18A.

FRANKENWEENIE:

Halloween is long past, but this animated feature is still a load of fun … and Christopher Lee voices Dracula, the first time he has played that character in more than 50 years.

JUDGE DREDD (1995):

18 years old, and in many respects, a better film than the remake!

TEXAS CHAINSAW 3D

A terribly cheesy movie that should never have been remade

PROMISED LAND

Very thoughtful environmental story from the pen of Matt Damon … he is excellent in the story … a few unfortunate plot holes though.